RAILWAY FREIGHTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1461, 8 June 1912, Page 3

RAILWAY FREIGHTS.

MINISTER FAVOURS A' GENERAL REVISION. (By Tolesrapli.—Press Association.) Auckland, June 7. A general revision of railway freights is proposed by the Minister for Railways (the Hon. A. M. Myers). The Minister announced this intention this afternoon to a deputation from the South Auckland Sawmillers' Association, which was introduced by Mr. J. A. Young, M.P. for Waikato. - The deputation discussed a number, of variations in freights on timber in various districts, and suggested directions in which tho scale could be amended. They explained that the rebate allowed on timber carried more than CO miles was of no assistance to the mills, on the Rotorua line, as they were all within that distance. The Minister was also informed that millers found that tho measurements of toads given by the Department's officers were unreliable, and instances were given of cases in which double rates had been charged owing to mistakes by ckeckejs. The deputation suggested that a moro generous allowance should be given in regard to the lengths of sawn timber, and asked that short timber for packing cases should bo carried at a cheaper rate. Mr.- Myers replied that he considered a complete revision of railway freights was desirable, and ho intended to ask his officers to tnako a report upon tho matter to him. In tho meantime there would be no alteration in rates until the existing tariff had been reviewed. Regarding the measurement of timber, Mr. Myers said tho Department desired . lo bo paid only for what, it carried, and lie had already asked the General Manager and the North Island Traffic Superintendent (-Mr. C. A. Piper) lo investigate the matter, with a. view of devising satisfactory arrangements. He promi.-ed to consider other matters mentioned by the deputation.